A dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher comprising: a tub; a rack which is disposed into the tub for holding kitchenware and dishes to be cleaned; and a hydraulic circuit for circulating the washing/rinsing liquid through the tub. The hydraulic circuit comprises: distribution means for distributing the liquid on the kitchenware and dishes placed on the rack comprising a spray arm configured to spray the liquid towards the rack; and at least one flexible spray element; collecting means placed on the bottom of the tub for collecting the distributed liquid; and conveying means for conveying to the distribution means the collected liquid or liquid coming from an external source.

The present invention relates to a dishwasher in particular allowing tooptimally clean hollow and deep concave articles placed on the basket ofthe dishwasher and that could be hardly reached by the washing liquidand by the water during washing and rinsing phases.

Domestic dishwashers are commonly known in the art. A domesticdishwasher generally includes two racks which are extendably disposedinto the washing tub one above the other. The racks are commonly madefrom a wire mesh which holds the kitchenware to be cleaned and dried.The user can load up the racks with various kitchenware such as pots,pans, trays, dishes, bowls, cups, bottles and jars.

The articles which are loaded into the upper rack and the lower rack aregenerally washed and rinsed by means of two rotating spray arms thatspray the washing/rinsing liquid upwardly towards the racksrespectively. In general, the dishwasher includes a hydraulic circuitfor circulating the washing/rinsing liquid via the rotating spray arms.The hydraulic circuit is generally controlled by the control unit inaccordance with user-selectable washing programs. During the operationof the dishwasher, the pressurized washing/rinsing liquid hits thearticles, removes the dirt, marks or stain from the articles and drainsdown together with the dissolved dirt into the sump which is located onthe bottom of the tub.

In the recent years, dishwashers having small dimensions and in somecases being portable have been developed in particular for smallhouseholds and offices or for mobile devices such as motor homes, campervans, yachts and the like. Such small dishwashers comprise only a singlerack, in which only small amounts of articles can be placed and cleaned,and a single spray arm arranged below the rack.

A common problem with the prior art domestic dishwashers is that thehollow articles, in particular the hollow articles with relativelynarrow openings such as drinking containers, bottles, feeding bottlesand jars may not sufficiently receive the washing/rinsing liquid andremain dirty after the completion of the selected washing program.

This problem is often encountered in small dishwashers also for simplyconcave articles, especially for the ones having big dimensions, which,due to the limited space inside the tub, cannot be placed with theconcavity completely facing the spray arm.

In such incidents, the user needs to wash the unclean articles again. Ingeneral, the poor washing results decrease the user satisfaction.

The European patent n. EP 0997100 B1 discloses a prior art domesticdishwasher which attempt to solve the above mentioned problem. Thedishwasher therein disclosed comprises a duct attached to the bottom ofthe rack and having a plurality of terminations extending verticallythrough the bottom of the rack and provided each with one or moreoutlets for distributing the washing liquid. Each termination can beused for supporting a hollow article so that the concave portion of thelatter can be efficiently cleaned.

The main drawback of this dishwasher resides on its poor flexibility inuse, due to the fact that the articles need to be placed on the rackdepending on the disposition of the terminations of the duct.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher whichsolves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effectiveway and which enables an improved cleaning performance of deep concaveand hollow articles.

This objective has been achieved by a dishwasher as defined in claim 1.Additional achievements have been attained by the subject-matters asdefined in the dependent claims respectively.

The dishwasher of the present invention is provided, besides the sprayarm, with one or more flexible spray elements, each of which has a firstend hydraulically connectable to liquid conveying means of thedishwasher for receiving washing/rinsing liquid from it and a second endwhich is free and comprises one or more outlets. The position of thesecond end of the flexible spray element can be arranged in the rackaccording to a user's preference. The second end, through which theliquid is sprayed, can therefore be placed in dishes cavity or concavityor in any case used to reach part of dishes and kitchenware thatdifferently would be hardly reached by an appropriate amount of liquidor by liquid having an appropriate pressure for ensuring an efficientcleaning action.

According to an embodiment, the flexible element is manually bendable bythe user in order to place the second end of it in the desired positionin the rack according to the needs of the user.

In an embodiment, the conveying means comprises a first duct to whichboth the spray arm is connected and the first end of the flexible sprayelement is hydraulically connectable so that the dishwasher resultsconstructionally simple and economic to be produced.

In a further embodiment, the first duct comprises a connection port towhich the flexible spray element is removably connectable. Therefore theflexible element can be associated to the rack or not according to theuser's needs and preferences.

In order to prevent the liquid from flowing through the connection portwhen the dishwasher is operated with the flexible spray element removed,in an embodiment the conveying means comprises a shutting element aimedto block the flow of liquid.

In a version of this embodiment the shutting element comprises a valveplaced in the first duct for controlling the conveying of liquid to theflexible spray element and/or to the spray arm. The valve can becontrolled by a control unit of the dishwasher according to the programselected by the user.

In another version of the above embodiment, the shutting elementcomprises an automatic flow stopper, so that the connection port isautomatically closed when the flexible element is removed.

In a further version of the above embodiment, the shutting elementcomprises a cap for closing the connection port. The cap can be easilypositioned by the user to close the connection port when the flexibleelement is removed.

In a different embodiment, the conveying means comprises a second duct,distinct from the first duct to which the spray arm is connected, towhich second duct the first end of the flexible spray element ishydraulically connectable for receiving washing/rinsing liquid from it.Thus the washing/rinsing liquid can be independently delivered to thespray arm and to the flexible element.

In an embodiment, the flexible spray element is extensible thus moreeasily reaching the desired location of the dishes or kitchenware to besprayed by it and at the same time not getting entangled when thelocation of the dishes or kitchenware to be reached is closed to theconnection site of the flexible element to the conveying means.

In an embodiment, the flexible spray element, in its maximum extension,extends for at least half of the height of the rack and preferably forat least the same height of the rack.

In another embodiment, the flexible spray element comprises a pluralityof outlets at its second end and, preferably, at least partially alongits length so that it can more efficiently spray the dishes orkitchenware to be cleaned by it.

In a further embodiment, the flexible spray element comprises at itssecond end UV lighting means for enhancing the cleaning of thekitchenware or dishes irradiated by it.

According to an embodiment, the dishwasher further comprises a controlunit which is configured to control the conveying of washing/rinsingliquid to the tub and through which the flow parameters of the liquidsupplied by the flexible spray element are controllable by the user.

In an embodiment the dishwasher has small dimensions, being designed tobe placed on a countertop or hung on the wall, and it comprises a singlerack.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of thedishwasher according to the present invention will become more apparentwith the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective view in transparency of a rack and ofpart of a hydraulic circuit of the dishwasher according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2—is a schematic plan view of the rack and of part of the hydrauliccircuit assembly of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3—is a schematic lateral view of the rack and of part of thehydraulic circuit of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4—is a schematic frontal view of the rack and of part of thehydraulic circuit of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5—is a schematic frontal view of a rack and of part of a hydrauliccircuit of the dishwasher according to a different embodiment of thepresent invention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the followingtechnical features.

-   -   1. Rack    -   2. Spray arm    -   3. Conveying means    -   4. Pump    -   5. Flexible spray element    -   6. First end    -   7. Second end    -   8. Outlet    -   9. Base of the rack    -   10. First duct    -   11. Connection port    -   12. Extension    -   13. Valve    -   14. Second duct    -   15. Second pump

The dishwasher comprises a tub (not shown), one or more extendable racks1 which are disposed one above the other into the tub for holdingkitchenware and dishes to be cleaned and a hydraulic circuit (onlypartially shown in the attached figures) for circulating thewashing/rinsing liquid through the tub.

The hydraulic circuit comprises distribution means, for distributing onthe kitchenware and dishes placed on the rack 1 a certain amount ofwashing/rinsing liquid, i.e. generally simple water or water mixed withdetergent depending on the specific cycle which is performed, whichdistribution means comprises one or more rotating spray arm 2,associated to the rack 1 for spraying the washing/rinsing liquid towardsit.

The hydraulic circuit further comprises collecting means, including asump located on the bottom of the tub, for collecting the liquiddistributed by the distributing means after it got into contact with thedishes, filtration means, for filtering the collected liquid, andconveying means for conveying the collected and filtered liquid orliquid coming from an external source to the distribution means.

The hydraulic circuit in particular further comprises one or more pumps4 operationally connected to the collecting means and to the conveyingmeans for forwarding the liquid, coming from the collecting means or theexternal source and pressurized, to the distribution means through theconveying means.

The dishwasher advantageously, according to a further embodiment,comprises a control unit (not shown) for controlling the hydrauliccircuit, which control unit comprises one or more user selectablewashing programs.

According to the present invention, the distribution means of thehydraulic circuit of the dishwasher further comprises one or moreflexible spray elements 5, each having a first end 6 hydraulicallyconnectable to the conveying means 3 for receiving washing/rinsingliquid from it and a second end 7 which is free and comprises one ormore outlets 8 through which the washing/rinsing liquid received fromthe conveying means 3 is released in the tub. The position of the secondend 7 of each flexible spray element 5 is arrangeable in the rack 1according to a user's preference.

The second free end 7 of the flexible element 5 can be arranged by theuser in the desired position in order to efficiently reach articlesplaced in the rack 1 or portions of articles that differently would behardly reached by sufficient amounts of washing/rinsing liquid to besatisfactorily cleaned. To this aim, according to a preferredembodiment, the flexible element 5 is manually bendable by the user inorder for the second end 7 of it to be positioned in the rack accordingto the needs of the user. Advantageously the flexible element 5 iselastically deformable to be shaped manually.

The presence of one or more flexible spray elements 5 allows toefficiently clean the articles placed in the rack 1, in particular deepconcave articles, such as pots or bowls, as well as hollow articles alsowith relatively narrow openings such as bottles, feeding bottles andjars, by placing the second end 7 of the flexible element 5 inside theircavity or concavity, thus allowing part of the washing/rinsing liquidcarried along the hydraulic circuit to be directly sprayed into it.

The articles placed in the rack 1 can therefore be efficiently cleanedwithout needing to be placed with their opening directly facing the base9 of the rack 1 and therefore allowing also to accommodate a largernumber of articles on the rack 1.

In an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the flexible sprayelement 5 has an oblong shape and it extends through the base 9 of therack 1 toward the inside of it.

In the attached figures and in the following just one flexible sprayelement 5 associated to a rack 1 is illustrated, for an easierpresentation of the invention. Differently two or more flexible sprayelements 5 could be associated to each rack 1, preferably extendingthrough the base 9 of it, spaced apart from each another, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Obviously the conveying means 3 and the flexible element 5 attached toit have to be designed so as not to hinder the rotation of the spray armduring the operation of the dishwasher.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached FIGS. 1-4, theconveying means 3 comprises a first duct 10 to which a correspondentspray arm 2 is connected and to which the first end 6 of the flexibleelement 5 is hydraulically connectable for receiving washing/rinsingliquid from it. In this embodiment, both the spray arm 2 and theflexible element are hydraulically connected to the same first duct 10.

In particular, the first duct 10 is hydraulically connected to a pump 4for receiving the pressurized washing/rinsing liquid from it. More indetail, in case the dishwasher comprises two racks 1, the first duct 10associated to the lower rack is preferably mounted on the bottom of thetub, while the first duct 10 associated to the upper rack is preferablyattached to the base 9 of the rack. Both the first ducts 10 arehydraulically connected to the pump 4, in a conventional manner here notdescribed in detail.

The fact that both the spray arm 2 and the flexible element 5 areconnected to the same duct 10 allows to minimize the designmodifications to be introduced in the dishwasher in order to provide itwith the flexible spray element 5, thus reducing also the productioncosts.

In a further embodiment, the first duct 10 comprises a connection ports11 to which a flexible spray element 5 is removably connectable. In casemore than one flexible element 5 is associated to the same rack 1, thefirst duct 10 is preferably provided with as much connection ports 11 asthe flexible element 5, so that to each connection port 11 acorrespondent flexible element 5 can be connected.

The fact that the flexible element 5 is removably connectable to thefirst duct 10 allows the user to remove it when not necessary and toarrange it in the tub only when he/she considers it needed, for instancewhen deep concave or hollow articles are placed on the rack 1 that canbe better reached by the washing/rinsing liquid by means of the flexibleelement 5.

In a version of this embodiment, illustrated in the attached figures,the first duct 10 comprises an extension 12 provided with the connectionport 11. The extension 12 allows to attach the flexible element 5 to thefirst duct 10 in a more favorable position with respect to the spray arm2 not to hinder its rotation as previously specified.

In an embodiment the conveying means 3 comprises a shutting element, forpreventing the liquid from flowing through the connection port 11 whenthe dishwasher is operated with the flexible spray element 5 removed.

This ensures an optimal flexibility in using the dishwasher, since theuser can decide if operating the dishwasher with or without the flexibleelement 5 connected to the conveying means 3. In the last case, i.e.when the dishwasher is operated without the flexible element 5, thepresence of the shutting element ensures the same operational conditionsof a dishwasher having just the spray arm 2.

According to an embodiment, schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, theshutting element comprises a valve 13 placed in the first duct 10 forcontrolling the conveying of liquid to the flexible spray element 5and/or to the spray arm 2.

More in detail the valve can advantageously be a three-way valve whichcan be operated in order to allow, and eventually also to control, theflow both toward the spray arm 2 and the flexible element 5, or onlytoward the spray arm 2.

In this way, when the user operates the dishwasher upon removal of theflexible element 5, the valve 13 is used to prevent the washing/rinsingliquid from flowing through the connection port 11. The valve 13 couldbe also used to prevent liquid from flowing through the connection port11 when the flexible element 5 is connected to it. In particular, thevalve 13 can be automatically operated by the control unit according tothe washing program selected by the user.

According to another embodiment, the shutting element comprises anautomatic flow stopper (not illustrated). The automatic flow stopper issuitable for automatically closing the connection port 11 when theflexible element 5 is removed. For instance the automatic flow stoppercan comprise an internal rim and a sphere placed in the first duct 10,which sphere urges against the rim when the flexible element 5 isremoved, due to the pressure applied by the fluid on it or due to theaction of resilient means, and it is suitable for being distanced fromthe rim when the flexible element 5 is connected to the port 11, forinstance for the action of separation means provided on the first end 6of the flexible element 5.

The presence of the automatic flow stopper allows the user to simplyremove the flexible element 5 when the latter is considered notnecessary, without any further action being required.

According to an embodiment alternative to the last embodiment presented,the shutting element comprises a cap (not illustrated) for closing theconnection port 11. The cap is removable in order to allow theconnection of the flexible element 5 to the connection port 11 and itcan be advantageously secured to the first duct 10 so as to remainconnected to it also when removed from the connection port 11. The capcan be easily placed or removed on/from the connection port 11 by theuser.

Obviously the conveying means can comprise both the valve and theautomatic flow stopper or the cap, so that the automatic flow stopper orthe cap could prevent the washing/rinsing liquid to enter in the firstduct 10 when the flexible element 5 is removed, thus avoiding that dirtliquid could enter the first duct 10 and reach the spray arm 2.

In a different embodiment, the conveying means 3 comprises a second duct14, which is fixed with respect to the rack and to which the first end 6of the flexible spray element 5 is hydraulically connected for receivingwashing/rinsing liquid from it. The second duct 14 is advantageouslyindependent from the first duct 10 and it can be hydraulically connectedto a second pump 15 for receiving the pressurized washing/rinsing liquidfrom it.

In this last embodiment as well the flexible element 5 can be removableand the conveying means 3 can comprise a shutting element as abovespecified.

The second duct 14, connected to a second pump 15, ensures anappropriate pressure of the liquid that is sprayed by the flexibleelement 5 and by the spray arm 2 and, therefore, an appropriate cleaningefficiency.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the flexible sprayelement 5 is extensible. In particular the flexible element 5 might havea spiral configuration or an accordion configuration which allows itsextension to be adjusted as desired by the user. This allows tocomfortably reach also kitchenware and dishes that are located on therack 1 in a position distant from the first end 6 of the flexibleelement 5 while at the same time it allows to avoid the flexible element5 to clutter the rack 1 or to get entangled when the kitchenware ordishes to be reached are placed closed to the connection point of theflexible element 5 to the conveying means 3.

In another embodiment, the flexible spray element 5 extends, at itsmaximum extension, for at least half of the height of the rack 1, andpreferably approximatively for the same height of the rack 1 or more.This allows the flexible element 5 to reach kitchenware and dishes alsoremotely placed on the rack 1.

In an embodiment, the flexible spray element 5 comprises a plurality ofoutlets 8 at its second end 7 and, preferably, at least partially alongits extension. Preferably the flexible element 5 is provided with aplurality of outlets 8 which are distributed from second end along atleast half of its extension. This allows a more efficient cleaningperformance, since the washing/rinsing liquid is more widely sprayed onthe kitchenware and dishes.

According to an embodiment, the flexible spray element 5 comprises,preferably at its second end 7, UV lighting means for enhancing thecleaning of the kitchenware or dishes irradiated by it.

The flexible element 5 can also or alternatively comprise at its secondend 7 simple LED lightening means to illuminate the cavity or concavityof the kitchenware or dishes in correspondence of which it is placed,thus providing to the user a visual feedback of the correct positioningof the second end 7 of the flexible element 5.

As previously specified, the dishwasher further comprises a control unitwhich is configured to control the conveying of washing/rinsing liquidinto the tub. According to an embodiment, the flow parameters of theliquid supplied into the tub by the flexible spray element 5, such as inparticular exit speed and flow rate of the liquid, are controllable bythe user through the control unit.

This allows a major flexibility in use of the dishwasher according tothe needs and desires of the user.

The flexible element 5 above described has been in particular designedfor dishwashers having small dimensions and comprising a single rack 1,since it is generally particularly difficult for the user to arrange allthe kitchenware and dishes to be washed on this single rack 1 and alsoin a position favorable for them to be properly reached by thewashing/rinsing liquid.

In particular, according to an embodiment, the dishwasher is portable.

With the present invention the problem of having deep concave or hollowarticles still dirty at the end of the washing/rinsing cycles of thedishwasher due to the fact that not all the parts of these articles canbe efficiently reached by a sufficient amount of washing/rinsing liquidor by liquid having a sufficient pressure is overcome. This is madepossible by bringing directly the washing/rinsing liquid to be sprayedon the critical parts of the above mentioned dishes or kitchenware bymeans of the flexible element that can be arranged by the user with itsfree end, through which the liquid is sprayed, positioned in the rackaccording to the needs.

1. A dishwasher comprising: a tub; a rack which is disposed into the tubfor holding kitchenware and dishes to be cleaned; and a hydrauliccircuit for circulating the washing/rinsing liquid through the tub andcomprising: distribution means for distributing the liquid on thekitchenware and dishes placed on the rack comprising a spray armconfigured to spray the liquid towards the rack; collecting means placedon the bottom of the tub for collecting the distributed liquid; andconveying means for conveying to the distribution means the collectedliquid or liquid coming from an external source; characterized in thatthe distribution means further comprises at least one flexible sprayelement having a first end hydraulically connectable to the conveyingmeans for receiving washing/rinsing liquid from it and a second endwhich is free and comprises at least one outlet, the position of thesecond end of the flexible spray element being arrangeable in the rackaccording to a user's preference.
 2. The dishwasher according to claim1, characterized in that the at least one flexible spray element ismanually bendable in order to arrange the position of its second end inthe rack according to the user's preference.
 3. The dishwasher accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means comprises a firstduct to which the spray arm is connected and to which the first end ofthe at least one flexible spray element is hydraulically connectable forreceiving washing/rinsing liquid from it.
 4. The dishwasher according toclaim 3, characterized in that the first duct comprises at least oneconnection port to which the at least one flexible spray element isremovably connectable.
 5. The dishwasher according to claim 4,characterized in that the conveying means comprises a shutting element,for preventing the liquid from flowing through the connection port whenthe dishwasher is operated with the at least one flexible spray elementremoved.
 6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe shutting element comprises a valve placed in the first duct forcontrolling the conveying of liquid to the at least one flexible sprayelement and/or to the spray arm.
 7. The dishwasher according to claim 5,characterized in that the shutting element comprises an automatic flowstopper.
 8. The dishwasher according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe shutting element comprises a cap for closing the connection port. 9.The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyingmeans comprises a second duct to which the first end of the at least oneflexible spray element is hydraulically connected for receivingwashing/rinsing liquid from it.
 10. The dishwasher according to claim 1,characterized in that the at least one flexible spray element isextensible.
 11. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized inthat the at least one flexible spray element extends for at least halfof the height of the rack.
 12. The dishwasher according to claim 1,characterized in that the at least one flexible spray element comprisesa plurality of outlets at its second end and, preferably, at leastpartially along its length.
 13. The dishwasher according to claim 1,characterized in that the at least one flexible spray element comprisesat its second end UV lighting means for enhancing the cleaning of thekitchenware or dishes irradiated by it.
 14. The dishwasher according toclaim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a control unit whichis configured to control the conveying of washing/rinsing liquid to thetub and through which the flow parameters of the liquid supplied by theflexible spray element are controllable by the user.
 15. The dishwasheraccording to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single rack.